Indianapolis 500 1956 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Pat Flaherty claimed victory at the Indianapolis 500, continuing the American oval racing tradition that remained separate from European Grand Prix competition despite counting toward the World Championship. The Watson roadster driven by Flaherty demonstrated the specialized nature of Indianapolis racing, where powerful Offenhauser engines and streamlined bodywork designed for sustained high speeds on the Brickyard's banked oval bore no resemblance to the agile road racing cars competing in Europe.

The Indianapolis 500's inclusion in the World Championship remained a political arrangement without practical integration, as the American and European racing communities operated in complete isolation. No European Formula 1 teams or drivers ventured to Indianapolis, while American oval specialists never competed at Monaco, Spa, or other European circuits. The different technical regulations, racing philosophies, and competitive cultures meant Indianapolis existed as a parallel universe within the championship structure.

Flaherty's victory earned him eight championship points despite never racing in a traditional Grand Prix, highlighting the artificial nature of the 500's championship status. The disconnect between American oval racing and European road racing would persist until Indianapolis finally dropped from the World Championship calendar after 1960, ending the awkward marriage between two incompatible racing traditions. For Formula 1 purists, the Indianapolis rounds remained historical curiosities rather than integral parts of championship narratives.